Chapter 1 The Sound

"Creak, creak..."

The sound of fingernails scratching the coffin lid came from inside the coffin. It was especially clear and particularly chilling in the silent night.

Chen Xuedao and Zhang Yuanqing stood up abruptly, their eyes fixed on the coffin.

The former slowly picked up the long saber leaning against the table, his body rising with a viscous, heavy yellow light. His entire being exuded a majestic and imposing aura like Mount Tai, as if he were an insurmountable peak. So strong, invincibly strong.

Zhang Yuanqing finally determined Chen Xuedao's level, an undisputed level six Mountain God! And I can’t contend with it, especially when he expands his domain. With all my means, I cannot contend with him... Of course, if I don't enter his domain, with my Daoist Heavenly Venerate background, I can still run away if I can't win, so there's no life-threatening danger.

Experiencing Chen Xuedao's power firsthand, Zhang Yuanqing felt much more at ease. "Creak, creak..."

The sound of scratching at the coffin lid grew louder, and there were faint signs of breaking out of the coffin. The entire coffin was trembling slightly. Whatever was inside...

Zhang Yuanqing silently took out the corpse-suppressing talisman and the spirit-sealing talisman. As for items, he didn't take them out immediately. Although Chen Wei and the others fully accepted the existence of the two Yin corpses, the item bar and the endless stream of props were, after all, a bit bizarre.

It was difficult to guarantee whether they would naturally accept it, so he planned to wait and see. It wouldn't be too late to take them out when things got dangerous. "Creak, creak..."

The scratching continued, and the coffin shook even more violently. Chen Xuedao looked at his adopted son, Lin Ci, and said in a deep voice:

"Stick a corpse-suppressing talisman and a spirit-sealing talisman on each side of the coffin."

Zhang Yuanqing nodded. To be cautious, he summoned the Blood Rose from the corner of the room, handed her the talismans, and then manipulated the Yin corpse to complete the task.

The moment the two talismans were attached to the coffin, the originally vibrating black coffin actually stopped.

Stopped? Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief, but he was also a little surprised. He thought he was going to fight a lot.

"Adoptive father, it seems to have stopped." Zhang Yuanqing maintained his persona and looked at Chen Xuedao.

The latter's stern face showed a hint of confusion, then nodded. It was indeed very well-behaved.

Having said that, he leaned the saber back against the table and sat down again. It was indeed very well-behaved.

Zhang Yuanqing also returned to his seat, but his eyes remained fixed on the coffin. Just to be safe, he used Spirit Devour to check the state of the evil creature inside. It was the same as he had seen during the day, eerie and terrifying, but nothing had changed.

Strange, it was fine during the day, why did it suddenly become active at night...? Zhang Yuanqing frowned and analyzed.

He looked at Chen Xuedao, hesitated for a moment, and said:

"Father, Zhang Hu and Zhao Ma, did they hear the noise last night, so they cut the copper lock and came in to check?"

Chen Xuedao nodded, then shook his head:

"They are both experienced escorts. In this situation, they should have reported to me first."

He sighed: "But one thing is certain, they were killed. Indeed, they died because of this coffin."

"They didn't come back after waiting for a whole day!" Coupled with the noise from the coffin just now, it was not difficult to deduce the fate of Zhang Hu and Zhao Ma. Zhang Yuanqing took the opportunity to raise a second question: but the coffin clearly couldn't be opened, so how did the evil creature inside kill people, and leave no bones behind? At this point, a flash of inspiration struck his mind: "Adoptive father, let's open the coffin. The coffin lid couldn't be opened during the day, perhaps it can be opened at night?"

Chen Xuedao frowned and shook his head:

"No, our mission is to escort the coffin to Shenjian Villa, not to deal with it. Besides, this is an inn. If we can't control the evil creature, many people in the city will suffer."

The people in the city would die in vain, but my adoptive father is right. If the evil creature escaped, my side mission would fail. Zhang Yuanqing nodded in agreement.

"Judging from tonight's situation, as long as Chen Xuedao and I guard here, the evil creature in the coffin won't break out. Escorting it to Shenjian Villa shouldn't be difficult." Zhang Yuanqing muttered to himself:

After completing the side mission, I should know who my teammates and enemies are this time when I get to Shenjian Villa.

There are quite a few level 5 *Lingjing Xingzhe*, but level 6 are limited. I wonder which enemies I'll be matched with.

Zhang Yuanqing felt someone push his shoulder and suddenly opened his eyes. He saw that the sky was bluish, and the east was faintly showing fish-belly white. Dawn was about to break.

Did I fall asleep? He turned his head in astonishment and saw that it was Chen Xuedao who had woken him up.

"Wake up the brothers. As soon as the person delivering the message returns, we'll set off immediately." Chen Xuedao glanced at the sky, his brow furrowed with solemnity.

"Yes, adoptive father."

Zhang Yuanqing responded without a trace, but he was secretly puzzled.

He's a Night Wanderer, a favored one of the Taiyin, an elf of the night. How could he have fallen asleep unknowingly at night?

It's like a person who plays with fire getting burned. How absurd. Zhang Yuanqing got up while inconspicuously scanning the room. The black coffin lay there quietly, Blood Rose and Silver Yao Princess stood quietly in the corner... He himself had no anomalies.

Although falling asleep at night was a bit strange, he didn't find anything wrong. This night was peaceful.

So Zhang Yuanqing left the backyard with doubts and came to the inn's lobby.

At this time, the sky was not yet bright, and the hall was dim. The inn's door was already open, and the waiter was sweeping the garbage in front of the door while yawning.

In the direction of the kitchen, flames flickered, and a dense mist permeated the air, bringing the unique aroma of steamed buns.

Zhang Yuanqing stepped on the wooden stairs and came to the second floor, knocking on the door of Zhao Youcai, his fourth brother.

He knocked for a long time before Zhao Youcai hurriedly opened the door, while shouting, "Don't knock, don't knock, I'm getting dressed!"

"Why are you so slow?" Zhang Yuanqing poked his head into the room.

"I drank the two pots of wine I brought back yesterday," Zhao Youcai explained casually and asked, "Was it peaceful last night?"

Zhang Yuanqing told his fourth brother what had happened last night.

"Strange, strange." Zhao Youcai was thoughtful.

Zhang Yuanqing's heart moved, and he asked, "Fourth brother, what do you think?"

Zhao Youcai thought for a while and blurted out:

"That evil creature must have known that adoptive father was guarding outside, so it was afraid."

I shouldn't have had expectations for the fire master... Zhang Yuanqing stopped talking nonsense: "Fourth brother, help me wake everyone up. Prepare to set off. I'll go wake up my third sister."

Leaving Zhao Youcai behind, he walked straight down the corridor, stopped in front of Chen Wei's door, and knocked lightly.

"Coming!"

Chen Wei's voice came from inside the room, but it took her a long time to open the door.

She poked her head out and looked around. Seeing that there was no one in the corridor, she pulled her lover into the room. "Seventh brother..."

Her moist, hot lips were imprinted on his. Chen Wei obviously had rich experience in love. In just a few rounds, she teased Zhang Yuanqing until his mouth was dry and his tongue was parched.

Zhang Yuanqing did not deliberately refuse, but maintained his persona, dealing with her for a few rounds before forcibly cutting off his desire and pushing Chen Wei away:

Having undergone the test of the Mountain God's scepter, he had extremely strong endurance in this area. Chen Wei's face was flushed, and she was content. She giggled and said, "When we get to the next city, we'll be intimate again. Fire masters are so good... ah, fire masters have no worries..."

Zhang Yuanqing, who was burdened with a mission, sighed enviously. At this moment, hurried footsteps came and stopped at the door.

Zhang Yuanqing and Chen Wei separated decisively. The next second, the inn's door was violently pushed open. The one who was so flustered must be the fire master, Zhao Youcai, standing at the door with an extremely ugly expression, shouted: "It's not good, Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle are gone!"

Zhang Yuanqing and Chen Wei said in unison: "What?!"

Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle had mysteriously disappeared last night.

Chen Xuedao closed the inn's door and summoned all the escorts to the backyard. Everyone's expression was extremely solemn, and a suppressed atmosphere enveloped the crowd. The scout in the escort reported:

"I've checked the doors and windows. There are no signs of damage. There are no signs of fighting in the rooms. According to Fourth Master's account, neither of their rooms were locked. Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle should have left the rooms voluntarily."

"I've already questioned the brothers in the escort agency, as well as the innkeeper and the waiter. No one heard any noise last night."

After the report, the thin and sturdy scout escort returned to the ranks. Chen Xuedao stood on the steps of the east wing and pondered in silence. Except for Chen Wei and Zhao Youcai, who were looking around, everyone else showed a thoughtful look.

Zhang Yuanqing frowned and felt heavy and confused.

He thought to himself, "I don't understand this mission. The disappearance of Zhang Hu and Zhao Ma has been confirmed to be related to the coffin, but what about Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle? Could the disappearance of the latter two be unrelated to the coffin? But it's too coincidental. Two people are missing, and they're missing mysteriously.

"But if the coffin did it, why did Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle disappear, while Chen Xuedao and I are fine?

"Also, if the coffin really killed the two of them, then tonight's watch has no meaning. Two people will still die every day. Perhaps it will be my turn tomorrow night. No wonder the副本 introduction said that strange things happen frequently. It's really strange!"

Zhang Yuanqing hadn't encountered such a difficult副本 in a long time. Complicated relationships, a strange black coffin, unknown dangers... a tangled mess.

"From my understanding of the *Lingjing*, the more chaotic and unknown a副本 seems, the more attention needs to be paid to details. There is no situation where the *Lingjing Xingzhe* is completely in the dark.

"Most of the information has actually been given, but it's often missing key information, making it difficult to connect them together. The situation I'm currently facing is like this."

While Zhang Yuanqing was thinking quickly, Chen Xuedao spoke:

"Time is tight. We can't continue to delay here. Everyone do your jobs. After breakfast, we'll set off immediately."

He seemed to have given up on Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle's disappearance.

Chen Wei, who was impatient, shouted, "Father, we can't leave. We have to find out. Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle are brothers from our escort agency. How can you ignore them?"

Chen Xuedao gave her a stern look, and the grumpy fire master's daughter turned her head to Chen Xuedao, unconvinced.

Chen Xuedao suppressed her back to the Heavenly Emperor Forum.

"Peiran and Ci'er stay. Everyone else, do your jobs." After everyone dispersed, he looked at Zhuo Peiran, "Come in."

The father and son entered the house and closed the door.

Zhang Yuanqing, outside the courtyard, pricked up his ears to listen. Although his hearing was excellent, he couldn't catch any sound.

"Is it the Mountain God's domain ability that's isolating the sound?" Zhang Yuanqing understood and gave up eavesdropping, waiting patiently.

Not long after, the door of the east wing opened, and Zhuo Peiran stepped over the threshold with a gloomy face and strode away.

"Ci'er, come in!" Chen Xuedao's voice came from the house.

Zhang Yuanqing stepped over the threshold, closed the door, and saw Chen Xuedao standing with his hands behind his back, at the edge of the black coffin.

"Adoptive father?" he asked tentatively.

Chen Xuedao stared at the black coffin, his tone deep and slow: "I fell asleep last night, and you fell asleep too?!"

A simple sentence, but Zhang Yuanqing's eyes suddenly contracted, and a stormy sea arose in his heart.

"It seems you've realized where the problem lies." Chen Xuedao gently stroked the coffin lid. "When I got up this morning, I saw you leaning against the door, fast asleep. I realized something was wrong, but I still held onto a glimmer of hope. After all, nothing had happened, until Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle disappeared."

Speaking of this, he raised his eyes and said:

"With your strength as a fire master, how could you fall asleep?"

Zhang Yuanqing's heart screamed: "Dream Weaver!"

"We've been targeted by a Dream Weaver." Chen Xuedao sighed softly:

"Everyone fell into a deep sleep, so no one heard Yang Shuo and Wang Pingle leave... There are only a handful of Dream Weavers in the martial world, and they're all gathered in the northwest. Why would the Yellow Banner Escort Agency be targeted by a Dream Weaver? It's a *Lingjing Xingzhe*!"

Zhang Yuanqing finally confirmed one thing: the Five Elements Chaos副本 was indeed a factional confrontation副本. The evil profession's side mission was to prevent the escort agency from transporting the black coffin to Shenjian Villa, or to wipe out the escort agency's team.

He also finally understood why the *Lingjing* gave him the "Lin Ci" persona instead of the Primal Heavenly Venerate identity to enter the team. It was for his protection.

"The lawful profession has a persona for protection and an escort team for help, so they receive very little information. The evil profession has to take on the entire team alone, so he (she) must obtain sufficient information.

"The Dream Weaver who could put Chen Xuedao and me to sleep must be at level 6. There are only so many level 6 powerhouses in the Void Sect. I wonder if it's..."

Zhang Yuanqing sadly discovered that the enemy he was matched with was indeed at level 6. How terrifying was a level 6 *Lingjing Xingzhe*? Killing level 4 was like slaughtering dogs.

Moreover, the other party was hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to defend against. With a careless step, the great Primal Heavenly Venerate might fall into the副本.

"Hmph, I knew the side mission wouldn't be so simple.

"I just don't know if that Dream Weaver is in the team or lurking around... Well, judging from my personal situation, although I've taken over the persona, my profession is still the same, and the escort agency's team doesn't seem to have an Illusionist? Lin Ci's memory doesn't have this information."

As his thoughts flashed through his mind, Chen Xuedao said:

"Take another look at this coffin!"

Zhang Yuanqing immediately used Spirit Devour to examine the coffin.

At this sight, his face changed drastically. The Yin energy in the black coffin was so dense that it made his eyes sting and his heart palpitate.

Zhang Yuanqing closed his eyes abruptly and looked at Chen Xuedao, horrified: "Adoptive father, it, it's stronger!"

As he spoke, he immediately tasted the Dream Weaver's purpose—to sacrifice fresh life to help the evil creature in the coffin recover.

According to this conclusion, the evil profession's mission was to participate in the resurrection of the evil creature in the coffin and wipe out the escort agency.

"Stronger?" Chen Xuedao's face darkened. He pondered for a moment and said:

"Wan City is still six days away from Shenjian Villa. We don't have much time. We must whip the horses and deliver the goods as quickly as possible."

Was he planning to race against time with the Dream Weaver in the dark? This method wasn't very clever. The Dream Weaver's methods were a bit difficult to guard against. If the coffin ate a few more people, the evil creature inside would break out directly. "Hiss, this is a bit tricky. With the elusive nature of the Illusionist, it's really difficult to find them. Well, I can't find the Illusionist in the city, but once I get to the mountains and wilds, as long as the Dream Weaver dares to follow, I'll definitely be able to find them. Chen Xuedao should be playing this idea." Zhang Yuanqing sighed, "Yes, adoptive father."

He led Blood Rose and Silver Yao Princess away and said in the Night Wanderer's exclusive communication method:

"Princess, you take Blood Rose out of the city first and follow the team from a distance. By the way, see if anyone is following the escort team.

"If the Dream Weaver isn't in the team, they'll definitely be following. The princess can find him. If the Dream Weaver is lurking in the team, and he acts too actively and with too much purpose in the investigation, the lurking Dream Weaver will notice that Lin Ci is a *Lingjing Xingzhe*, which would be dangerous."

Of course, Zhang Yuanqing was based on his actual situation, thinking that the possibility of the Dream Weaver being in the team wasn't high, but he had to guard against it.

His trump card was usually that once the master fell asleep, the Yin corpse would become useless.

But the princess was different. The princess was a Yin corpse with independent consciousness. Whether the master was asleep or awake wouldn't affect the princess's actions.

The Dream Weaver lurking in the dark didn't know the princess's special nature. Zhang Yuanqing decided to use this information gap and use the princess as a trump card to turn defeat into victory.

After a simple breakfast, four escorts carried the heavy black coffin and placed it on a flatbed car, covering it with tung oil-coated linen. The horses pulled it out of the inn.

"Oh, where's Seventh Brother?"

Chen Wei, concerned about her lover, saw that Lin Ci wasn't in the team and asked.

"He left something in the guest room," Zhao Youcai said.

Not long after, Zhang Yuanqing strode out of the inn.

Taking the reins from the escorts, the group left Wan City.

Two escorts riding fast horses cleared the road ahead, while Chen Wei, riding a fast horse, stood side-by-side with her father and asked, "Father, aren't we waiting for the brothers going to Xiu City?"

Chen Xuedao said in a deep voice, "Chai Gui knows the route and will follow."

"Why are we in such a hurry?" Chen Wei muttered.

The team cleared the road.

Zhang Yuanqing was riding a horse for the first time, but he didn't feel any unfamiliarity. With the Saint's physical fitness, he could easily learn by simply looking at Chen Xuedao's posture!

Fifteen horses, plus a cart carrying materials, quickly passed through the city gate, galloping along the official road. The sound of horses' hooves and wheels became the only melody.

Zhang Yuanqing turned his head and looked at the not-so-high city wall, muttering in his heart: "Wan City."

The official road was long, the sun was bright, and the roadside was lush with green grass. In the distance, the mountains rose and fell.

The ancient wilderness exuded a desolate feeling of wild plants growing everywhere, which was completely different from the modern era in which Zhang Yuanqing lived.

Moreover, the official road was wider and more solid than he imagined. Thanks to the economic prosperity of the Song Dynasty, the official roads were better than in other dynasties.

"I feel like if I come to these 副本 a few more times, I can become an excellent historian."

Zhang Yuanqing withdrew his gaze and looked at the escort agency's flag inserted on the flatbed car. The Yellow Banner Escort Agency's flag was earthy yellow, fluttering in the wind.

A meme popped into his mind for no reason: "Mobile Yellow Banner!"

After whipping the horses all the way, at noon, the escort team stopped in a shady place next to the official road.

Chen Xuedao sat high on horseback, looked around, and said, "Rest for a quarter of an hour."

Everyone dismounted one after another, and the first thing they did was take out their water pouches and gulp down water. It was early autumn, and the sun was scorching hot. The escorts had been traveling for two hours under the scorching sun, and their sweat had long soaked their clothes, and their throats were parched.

Zhang Yuanqing finished drinking it all in one breath, then took off his baggage and enjoyed the meat buns, roast chicken, and other delicacies brought out from Wan City with everyone.

Most of the time, they could only eat dry food and water. Only when they passed through cities and towns could they have a few good meals.

Zhang Yuanqing and Chen Wei sat side by side, eating fresh fruits, meat, and soft steamed buns.

Zhao Youcai led the escorts to feed the horses grass and shouted, "Adoptive father, is there a water source nearby? We should brush the horses."

Chen Xuedao was about to reply when he suddenly heard the sound of rapid hooves on the official road.

The escort agency looked in the direction of the sound and saw a rider galloping towards them, wearing the earthy yellow uniform of the escort agency.

"Chai Gui is back!"

As a fire master, Zhao Youcai's face lit up with joy.

"Father, Chai Gui is back!" Chen Wei also shouted.

The returning rider was Chai Gui, who had gone to Xiu City to deliver the message.

Chen Xuedao nodded slightly, put away his water pouch, and took the initiative to greet him.

"Halt~"

Chai Gui reined in his horse, and the steed under his crotch raised its front hooves high, stopping abruptly.

He couldn't bother to wipe his sweat, dismounted, and ran over in a hurry.

"How did Xuan Yu Zhenren reply?" Chen Xuedao asked.

Zhang Yuanqing, Chen Wei, Zhao Youcai, and Zhuo Peiran, the four core members, came over and stood by their adoptive father.

Chai Gui's face suddenly became strange, hesitating to speak.

Seeing this, Chen Xuedao frowned and said, "Speak without hesitation."

Chai Gui swallowed his saliva and lowered his voice:

"Xuan Yu Zhenren said that Shenjian Villa was destroyed three years ago, and all three hundred people in the villa were killed."